Alonso is Cincinnati's top hitting prospect.

Walt Jocketty, GM of the Cincinnati Reds, has apparently changed his mind about making one of his young first basemen available via trade this winter. Despite reports early in the off-season that Jocketty would be holding on to both Joey Votto and Yonder Alonso, the Reds have reportedly been in contact with a number of clubs this month, dangling Alonso as trade bait. In return, Jocketty is said to be targeting a closer or number 2 starter.

First, let’s just get the obvious part out of the way; there is no way Jocketty should be trading a talented young bat like Alonso for a closer. Closers are considerably overpriced and over valued. There is seemingly always a glut of them on the open market and one can be had relatively inexpensively. The smart clubs prefer to either create their own closers or to pick up an inexpensive veteran to fill the role.

Jocketty has apparently figured that out, as he balked at potential deal with Oakland that would have brought Andrew Bailey to the Queen City in exchange for Alonso. If they were to trade Alonso for a closer, they’d be hard pressed to find a better option than Bailey given his success, his youth, and his team controlled contract.

Focusing on just starting pitching then, would the Rangers be a fit for Cincinnati as a trading partner? (more…)